Aging & Independence Services

Garden Handtools

--- "DO IT YOURSELF" ENTRY ------- PURPOSE: Long handled tools are easier to use if the forearm is secured to the handle. A leather cuff is attached to the shaft of the tool and has velcro straps to secure the forearm. A wooden scythe handle is attached to the shaft with a hose clamp just below the cuff to grasp with hand. Includes materials list and drawings. SKILLS REQUIRED: Assembly, Sewing. AUTHOR: Ocone, L, Thabault, G, editors. TITLE: Tools & Techniques for Easier Gardening. REF: Monog

The Appelspade is a stainless steel spade designed for use by individuals with arthritis and other disabilities resulting in stiffness of the wrist. Made completely of stainless steel, this spade features two vertical handles connected at the top, creating an inverted U. The space between the blade and the footrest is designed to prevent soil accumulation. The space between the two vertical handles is designed to allow the knee to be placed straight above the foot. A halfcircular lower handle i

The Back-Saver Po-Lyte, Lite, and Snow Shovels are shovels with angled handles designed to reduce the pain and stress associated with shoveling snow and bending over. They feature bent, steel tubular poles and a sturdy poly D-grip handles. The Po-Lyte, model 27P-BS, featrues a deep-dish polyethylene blade with a non-warp tip. It has a snap-button feature that locks the handle to the blade for facilitating disassembly for transport and storage. The Back-Saver Snow Shovel, model 22-BS, has a high-

The Back-Saver Sweeper, model BR18-BS, is a push broom with an angled handle designed to reduce the strain on the back associated with sweeping. The broom features a bent tubular handle made of fused, powder-coated steel. The solvent-resistant polymyra bristles can be used to sweep indoors or outdoors, and on wet or dry surfaces. DIMENSIONS: Broom head is 18 inches wide; bristles are 4 inches long; the handle is 56 inches. WEIGHT: 3.5 pounds.

The Back-Saver Weeder, model W75, is a long-handled weeding tool designed to be used without bending. The user squeezes a trigger at the top of the 32 inch handle to open scissor jaws, steps on a plate to sink the tool into the ground and clamp the scissors around the weed, then pulls to lift the weed from the ground. WEIGHT: 3 pounds.

The PRO Bulb Auger is designed for those with a limited grasping pattern as a result of neurological impairment, arthritis or a nerve injury. It has a carbon steel auger head with depth indicators and an extended tooth for easy insertion into compacted soil.

DO IT YOURSELF ENTRY --- PURPOSE: To produce a long-handled digging tool designed for use by individuals in a sitting position. Cut curved handles out of wood with a bandsaw, designing them to be as long as needed to provide an easy reach from a sitting position. Attach a broken hay rake tine to create the digger. MATERIALS: Wood to be cut for handle; hay rake tine. TOOLS: Bandsaw. SKILLS REQUIRED: Basic shop skills. TITLE: Doing It Yourself. AUTHOR: Wechsler, K. JOURNAL: Quest. WEB SITE: http:/

The Easi Grip Weeder garden tool has a specially angled ergonomic handle making it comfortable to use. By keeping a user's hand and wrist at a natural angle, it helps eliminate the strains and blisters that can be caused by conventional style garden tools.

The Easi-Grip Cultivator is a short-handled garden tool designed for use by individuals with grasping or upper extremity disabilities or arthritis. The ergonomically-angled handle keeps the hand and wrist in a natural position and the three stainless steel tines helps prevent soil adhesion. The "soft-feel" non-slip grip prevents the tools from turning in the hand, giving a firmer grip, even in wet conditions. OPTIONS: Arm Support Cuff that plugs into the rear of the handle. DIMENSIONS: (23cm). W

The Easi-Grip Fork is a short-handled garden tool designed for use by individuals with upper extremity or grasping disabilities or arthritis. The ergonomically-angled handle keeps the hand and wrist in a natural position and the three-tine stainless steel tool helps prevent soil adhesion. The "soft-feel" non-slip grip prevents the tools from turning in the hand, giving a firmer grip even in wet conditions. OPTIONS: Arm Support Cuff that plus into the rear of the handle. DIMENSIONS: Overall lengt

The Easi-Grip Garden Trowel is a short-handled garden tool designed for use by individuals with grasping or upper extremity disabilities or arthritis. The ergonomically-angled handle keeps the hand and wrist in a natural position and the stainless steel blade helps prevent soil adhesion. The "soft-feel" non-slip grip prevents the tools from turning in the hand, giving a firmer grip even in wet conditions. OPTIONS: Arm Support Cuff that plugs into the rear of the handle.

The Extendable Loppers are a long-handled garden tool designed for use by individuals with mobility disabilities or short stature. This lightweight tool has a sharp blade to cut through branches, and the telescoping handles extend and lock into six positions. DIMENSIONS: The tool is 26.5 inches long with handles collapsed, and the handles extend from 19 to 32.5 inches. WEIGHT: 3.5 pounds.

The Fiskars Loop Handle Bypass Pruners are pruners designed for use by individuals with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or fine motor, grasping or upper extremity disabilities. These bypass pruners feature a comfortable Softgrip upper handle that allows for a firm grip and and helps prevent friction. The lower loop handle enables use of all fingers, protects knuckles when the gardener reaches into branches, and the ambidextrous locking mechanism is designed for left- or right-handed use. The

Fiskars Softouch Hand Tools are short handled garden tools designed for use by individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis. This set includes a cultivator, trowel, and transplanter trowel. These one-piece cast aluminum tools have an oversized cushioned grip handle with a thumb rest indentation for proper positioning to keep the wrist in a neutral position. WARRANTY: Manufacturer lifetime warranty.

The Garden Seat and Valet is a grarden stool and short-handled garden tool set designed for use by individuals with balance, mobility, or lower extremity disabilities or arthritis, or seniors. This folding seat has a steel frame, a detachable storage tote, and five easy-to-handle garden tools. The storage tote has two zippered openings, one on the backside and one on the top for easy access from any angle. The exterior has five pockets to hold the included trowel, spade, weeder, hand held rake,

The Good Grips Garden Cultivator is a short handled garden tool designed for use by individuals with arthritis and grasping disabilities. This ergonomically-designed, heat-tempered steel three-tined fork has prongs at right angles to the prongs to aerate surface soil. The cultivator has a large cushioned handle to reduce pressure on the hand. COLOR: Black handle with a silver fork.

The Good Grips Garden Fork is a short handled garden tool designed for use by individuals with arthritis and grasping disabilities. This ergonomically-designed, heat-tempered steel fork resembles a small pitchfork. The fork has a large cushioned handle to reduce pressure on the hand. COLOR: Black handle with a silver fork.

The Good Grips Garden Weeder is a short handled garden tool designed for use by individuals with arthritis and grasping disabilities. This ergonomically-designed, heat-tempered steel two-tined fork has a large cushioned handle to reduce pressure on the hand. COLOR: Black handle with a silver fork.

The Good Grips Transplanting Trowel is a short handled garden tool designed for use by individuals with arthritis and grasping disabilities. This ergonomically-designed, heat-tempered steel trowel has a longer, narrower blade than a standard trowel. The slightly curved trowel has a large cushioned handle to reduce pressure on the hand. COLOR: Black handle with a silver blade.

The Good Grips Trowel is a short handled garden tool designed for use by individuals with arthritis and grasping disabilities. This ergonomically-designed, heat-tempered steel trowel has a wide, slightly curved blad with an integral ruler to allow accurate measuring of planting depth. This trowel has a large cushioned handle to reduce pressure on the hand. COLOR: Black handle with a silver blade.

--- "DO IT YOURSELF" ENTRY ------- PURPOSE: Shaped handle on tool makes it easier to grasp. An epoxy putty can be applied to the handle of a tool. It is molded into the shape of person's grasp. When the putty is dry and hard it can be cleaned with soap and water. Helping Handles is an epoxy putty available from The Felix Co., Helping Hands Div., 9 Rice's Lane, Westport, CT 06880. SKILLS REQUIRED: Assembly. AUTHOR: Ocone, L, Thabault, G, editors. TITLE: Tools & Techniques for Easier Gardening

CUSTOM ADAPTATION PURPOSE: To enable an individual with quadriplegia to do digging tasks in the garden. The fork has a long wooden handle and the tines were machined on a lathe to be curved slightly to reduce resistance and tapered to turn easily in the ground. A strip of gauze was wrapped around the handle to protect the user's hand. TITLE: Fred's Garden. JOURNAL: TAD Journal. REF: Vol 21 no 4, Summer 2001: p. 17. PAGES (including cover): 2 2001.

The Master Craft 8-Inch Ratcheting Pruning Shears is a pruner designed for use by individuals with grasping disabilities, limited hand strength, or arthritis. This heavy-duty bypass pruner has ratchet action that requires less hand strength to cut through branches. Constructed of high strength aluminum body with finger guard, it has Teflon-coated precision hardened cutting blades. Theses shears have a cushion grip contoured handle for comfort and a built-in safety lock. DIMENSIONS: Cuts through

CUSTOM ADAPTATION PURPOSE: To enable an individual with quadriplegia and use of one hand to cut plant stems. The user has a spring-operated clamp worn on a rubberized rope around his neck. The clamp is used to steady the weed or plant stem, which can then be cut. TITLE: Fred's Garden. JOURNAL: TAD Journal. REF: Vol 21 no 4, Summer 2001: p. 17. PAGES (including cover): 2 2001.

The PowerGear Hedge Shears are garden shears designed for use by individuals with arthritis, or weakness of the hand. These shears feature a patented gearing mechanism to multiply cutting force near the middle of the cut where resistance is greatest, making cutting easier than single-pivot hedge shears. Its precision-ground blades stay sharp, and a rust-resistant, low-friction coating makes cuts even easier when powering through tough branches. The aluminum handles are easy to grip, carry and ma

The PowerGear Large Pruner is a pruner designed for use by individuals with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or fine motor, grasping or upper extremity disabilities. This pruner is specifically designed to fit large to medium sized hands comfortably. It are made with patented gearing technology that multiplies force in the middle of the cut where resistance is greatest, making cutting three times easier than with traditional single-pivot tools. Features include bypass-style precision steel bla

The PowerGear Lopper is a long-handled tree pruner designed for use by individuals with arthritis, grasping, fine motor or upper extremity disabilities or limited hand strength. This lopper features a patented gearing mechanism to multiply cutting force near the middle of the cut where resistance is greatest, making cutting easier than single-pivot loppers. A precision-ground bypass blade style stays sharp and resists rusting, and a low-friction coating makes cuts even easier. The lightweight, e

The PowerGear Pruner, model 387361, is a pruner designed for use by individuals with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or fine motor, grasping or upper extremity disabilities. This pruner is made with patented gearing technology that multiplies force in the middle of the cut where resistance is greatest, making cutting three times easier than with traditional single-pivot tools. It has bypass-style precision steel blades that stay sharp and resist rust through a low-friction coating that allows

The PowerGear Super Pruner/Lopper is a pruner designed for use by individuals with arthritis or weakness of the hand. Power gear cutting action provides extra leverage and power. This lopper requires two-handed use to reduce the need to open the hands wide. With lightweight Nyglass handles and fully hardened blade, the lopper can cut stems up to 1.25 inches in diameter. DIMENSIONS: 15 inches long with a 1.5 inch cutting jaw. WEIGHT: 13 ounces. COLOR: Black with orange markings. WARRANTY: Lifetim

The Radius A1 Super PRO Ergonomic Garden Set is a set of short-handled garden tools designed for use by seniors or individuals with arthritis or grasping or upper extremity disabilities. This set includes the PRO weeder, PRO transplanter, and PRO border fork. All implements feature a large patented "O" handle for four times the gripping surface, increased leverage and room for both hands; an extra-wide raised forward kick for reduced strain, better balance and ease-of-use; and a resin-encased st

Radius Garden Tools are lightweight short handled garden tools designed for use by individuals with arthritis or other upper extremity disabilities. The Natural Radius Grip minimizes hand and wrist stress while maximizing power and comfort. These tools have an advanced ergonomic design that prevents painful wrist bending. They are constructed of ultra-light alloy with a Santoprene thermoplastic handle. This set includes a trowel, cultivator, transplanter, and weeder. DIMENSIONS(WxDxL): 3.25 x 3.

The Reach Weeder is a long-handled garden tool designed for use by individuals with mobility or upper extremity disabilities. This 3-in-1 garden weeder digs, grabs, and slices. The weeder's telescoping handle extends, adding extra leverage. This gardening tool also has an ultra-light aluminum handle wrapped in a soft foam grip. This tool is designed for maintenance of established gardens and flower beds. DIMENSIONS: The handle extends from 43 to 67.5 inches.

The RoboHandle® is a handle extender for use by adults with carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive motion injuries, disabilities of the wrist or hand, or limited range of motion. The RoboHandle® attaches to a broom or rake type handle to help absorb the torque which reduces the potential for operator injury to arm, wrist, or hand.

The Smith & Hawken 3-Piece Sprouts Short Handled Tool Set is a set of short-handled garden tools designed for use by children or individuals with arthritis or grasping disabilities. This set includes a hand rake, a trowel, and a hand shovel. The tools are intended for outdoor use and have wooden handles and painted metal heads. COLOR: Natural wood handles and green heads.

The Snow Wolf Wheeled Snow Shovel is designed to prevent lower back strain. Unlike traditional snow shovels, the Snow Wolf utilizes a large wheel to provide leverage and help you reduce back pain and risk of injury. The Snow Wolf is designed to be lightweight and easy to maneuver. It features a durable frame that folds down for easy storage and transport. In addition, there are a variety of accessories designed to help clear your walkways and driveways.
OPTIONS: Snap-on wear strip, Gravel wheels

The 3-piece Telescoping Tool Set is a set of long-handled garden tools designed for use by individuals with mobility or upper extremity disabilities and people who use wheelchairs. This set includes a trowel, a shrub rake, and a cultivator. The tools have strong, lightweight steel handles that telescope to fit the need. The tools have soft, nonslip grips and tool heads of heat-treated steel with a powder-coated, rust-resistant finish. Metal end rings allow hanging storage. DIMENSIONS: The handle

The UpRoot Weed and Root Remover is a long handled weeder designed for use by individuals with arthritis, and difficulty bending. This garden tool features a long lightweight aluminum shaft that allows the user to remove garden and lawn weeds without kneeling or bending. Four serrated, stainless steel claws grab weeds by the root for a clean removal and an easy-eject mechanism clears the head between uses. Other features include a foot platform that makes it easy to step down and maximize force

The Wide Sweep/Back-Saver Lawn Rake, model 83-BS, is a rake with an angled handle designed to reduce pain and stress on the back associated with raking. The Back-Saver/Lite Lawn Rake, model 81-BS, is similar to the Wide Sweep, but it has a smaller head and is lighter. Both have bent, tubular aluminum handles and spring steel teeth. DIMENSIONS: The Wide Sweep Rake has a head width of 30 inches and a handle 60 inches long; the Back Save Lite Rake has a narrower head width of 20 inches with a handl